How To Con

[deadprofile 1,123]

Ok, I am going to my first Con ever in my life (MLP-MSP), and have been digging around the internet and this forum to try to find a concise or at least clearer topic as to how to prepare for a convention of really any kind.

I am fairly eccentric, but my social skills have been quite dulled over the past few years because I went from fairly large high school (over 2000 students) to a teeny tiny town of about 130 whom I rarely converse with at all. I am not very in tune with the hustle and bustle of cities and people and really feel like my adulthood is still something I am growing into (I'm 23 and married, but yet I ordered my first pizza delivery last year as a small but IMO a significant example. Registering for the hotel for MLP-MSP is actually the first time I've ever booked a hotel room too). So as far as MLP-MSP goes, I am super excited, yet quite terrified at the same time. I won't back down because I've been waiting 6 months (I registered and got everything set up back in January), but I worry my fears and stress may get to me. So, if anything, I want this to be like "How to Pony Con; for Noobs"  

 

Post anything you think would be valuable for those who are planning to go to their first Con (I am sure I'm not the only one with such fears).  Anything you wish you had brought, how much money would be wise to start off with that isn't part of the registration and hotel booking, how to find like-minded fans, what to be prepared for, and really anything else you have learned and wish to have others know so that they can all enjoy themselves and have fun to the utmost!

 

To me, this Con will be a stepping stone in my life to whole different world. I've never met another brony IRL, and I've always wanted to go an anime Con but never did because anime is such a vast medium with diverse genres that it's too overwhelming. But a Brony Convention....MLP is a huge part of my life now, and due the miniscule amounts of media I consume, MLP is pretty much everything that isn't anime. MLP is the first thing I've ever been a fan of, and I just want to make the most of it without my anxiety and ill-feelings get in the way.

Edited June 2, 2014 by Treble Bolt

[K.K. Slider 391]

Word has it (Final)'Draft Con' is going to implode but if it does you can tell us about it.

 

Having been to 7 pony cons, there's not much to it. You just get out there and it all comes together simply enough. Follow the 6-2-1 rule - that is a minimum of 6 hours of sleep, 2 square meals, and 1 shower per day. Separate a budget for the Dealer's Den, you're gonna see a lot of shiny merchandise. Line up 30~ minutes early for main panels (like with the VAs/GoHs) or bribe/ask your way to the front. 10 people may say no, 1 will always say yes.

 

Don't forget to have fun.

 

Edit: You will find the atmosphere of cons to be incredibly relaxed (other than the mutual exictment of course) and non-judgemental. You won't be the only oddball around! Just be yourself and go with the flow.

Edited June 2, 2014 by K.K. Slider

[Avatar tag: shipping 299]

I went to my first con last year and though I had fun, I didn't have as much fun as I could have. Why? Because I was like you, I was nervous and didn't know anyone. So I didn't really converse with anyone. So this year I was determined to change that at my local con this year. I opened up, talked to people, and I finally got the full convention experience. You said you weren't sure how to find like minded people. Everyone at a brony convention has the same thing on their minds: ponies, ponies, merch, and ponies! We're all in this together so you won't find a nicer group of people!

 

The best way to meet people? Open your mouth.

 

As for money, I brought $300 for merch and food my first time. My local con is fairly small so you may want to bring more. I'm going to BronyCon in a couple months and I plan on bring much more.

 

You said you aren't used to the hustle and bustle of the city. Well, a con is just one massive crowd so hopefully you don't have issues with crowds. There are usually plenty of places to sit down and get away from everyone but expect a lot of people. I don't care for crowds much myself but I just remember that this isn't a crowd of strangers, it's a crowd of my fellow bronies.

 

I hope some of this helps!

[SveciaDash 365]

Dont forget your fedora, uheuheehueuheuheuheuheuhe.

 

Bring alot of dough for the dealer's hall tho.

 

And have fun.

[hawkflame 3,315]

My best bit of advice: bring lots of snacks and bottled water, because food will be expensive.

 

Also take a look at the schedule early, because there will be conflicts.

 

And when it comes to cosplayers, be respectful of their privacy. Ask for their pictures when they're out and about in the halls or outside, not while they're eating, looking to buy something in the dealers room, or clearly tired.

[Denim&Venöm 21,236]

I've been to a number of cons before. G-fest, a Godzilla themed con in 2005, Okonomacon 2008, Anime Milwaukee 2010, Anime Central 2008-2014, and Bronycon 2013. So maybe I can offer a little advice. 

 

I'm presuming the hotel is paid for and that costs for fuel/flight expenses have been factored in, cause that'll take up the biggest chunk of your budget. 

 

1. It's been said to get 6 hours of sleep. Honestly that's not enough. You should aim for at least 7 and a half hours, so plan your schedule accordingly. You'll have more energy and be more aware and involved in whats going on. 

 

2. 1 meal a day will suffice, though if you have time to cram in more, be my guest. The human body can last 3 weeks without food after all. Con food is expensive. It'll be best to bring your own. Not all hotel rooms will have microwaves or even toasters, though most I've encountered do have stove tops. Bring something easy to prepare like oatmeal, ramen cups or if you live near a military surplus store, get some MREs. Finish what you eat also, as some hotels don't have fridges either. Pack some snacks on your person to munch while on the go. Definitely don't drink. It hurts your liver, gives you a hangover and you wont remember your con experience. Liquor also tends to be expensive. 

 

3. Showering every other day is usually the way to go, as it wont dry out your skin as bad. But do shower the night prior or morning of the con. Also don't forget to wear antiperspirant. 

 

4. Agreed with everypony else here on giving space to guests of honor like the VAs, show staff, artists and community celebrities. Just be respectful. Most involved in the show tend to be cool people. And do ask cosplayers before photographing them. They tend to say yes and welcome the attention. 

 

5. Save up a lot of cash for the dealers hall. Whatever cash you have left from your checks after daily expenditures, taxes and rent should be put away to buy stuff. And don't wait until the last day to buy. While some vendors do lower their prices on the last day, dealer halls tend to close early on that day too. Don't carry your stuff with you through out the con though. It may get stolen or forgotten or just not allowed in certain rooms. Best to make a trip to your hotel room and drop it all off there. It'd also be a good opportunity to grab a snack or rest a bit.  PS, make sure to have direct deposit set up to your credit card if you get paid on a Friday like most people. Most cons start on a Friday, and you wont be there to pick up your check and spend the money. 

 

6.It's not going to be difficult to find friends at a Brony convention. Interaction is easy if you just start talking. You all like ponies. That's a good place to start. Like you, I was also socially awkward at Bronycon, though that was less due to nerves and anxiety, and more towards my ADD and Asbergers hampering my ability to relate to people and read emotions. Though this means socialization isn't a top priority to me and I focused more on getting to panels, buying stuff and attending raves.  But at least I felt good about trying to interact and you probably will too. 

 

7. It's a pony convention. Chillax and rock out while you're over there. 

[K.K. Slider 391]

Speaking of drinking; you will find A LOT of that at cons, though it (for the most part) stays in people's rooms. If you're looking for a keg party, just roam the halls. There's usually a few open doors going on Saturday night. You're bound to get invited to a party if you socialize, if the con is small you'll get to know people quickly enough. They tend to be open bar, but if BYOB liquor is inexpensive.

Edited June 3, 2014 by K.K. Slider

[deadprofile 1,123]

It's good we already have money put away for all our hotel and driving expenses.

 

I also stocked up on snacks, and plan to get a few energy drinks and other food for us on the way up. We also will have water on us since it's silly to buy water.

 

My husband went onto 2nd shift this week (3:30pm-1:30am) so I am not too worried about sleeping problems near as much now than our old schedule (we used to have to get up at 2:00am and thus were in bed by 6pm).  My husband probably won't stay for the concerts since Rock and Electronic music really isn't his thing.

 

I completely understand the stress VA's and big named people that agree to go to any convention to see fans must feel. It's fun for them for sure, but very stressful. I am looking forward to the panels, and at most an autograph; don't really have questions though. -_-  It's good to be respectful to everyone

The Vendor Hall reminds me of Tractor show flea markets by the way it sounds (how they operate).   After going through the itinerary, I'll check it out right away, get what I absolutely want, then check it back out on Sunday around lunch (most flea vendors pack up right after or during the lunch period), and see what's left.

 

Didn't think about the drinking....not sure how I'll go about that. I don't get hangovers because I drink a lot of water right when I wake up after drinking the night before and I feel fine then, but then the bathrooms will call me a lot   Plus, once I start, I tend to enjoy it way too much, but my husband will be there to watch out for me.